What types of data should the town make available for public use?

Strategy and Purpose

This is a great idea!

Coming at this from a strategic perspective, depending on how you view the scope of data, it can be quite an intimidating task to add to lists such as these without understanding what Oakville's strategy and purpose with respect to Open Data is.

For example, the reason one of my clients did it was to empower their clients with visual data, almost without bounds with respect to how their clients could use it. The response was electrifying.

I would love to have greater insight into Oakville's strategy in this respect, and the nature of the policies, procedures, standards and guidelines that will support the execution of Oakville's strategy.

As another example, it could be argued that all municipal data is an indirect outcome of taxpayer contributions. From this point of departure, why can't all data be made available to taxpayers? There may be good reason that some data may be restricted, so again, policies may be required in this respect. What's the thinking framework that guides the conversation?

As another example, if Oakville's strategy is to encourage economic development as an outcome of the open data initiative where the public can use data to create various commercial enterprises, then what are the guidelines in this respect? The benefit for Oakville is increased economic activity and tax revenue, but there needs to be policy guidelines to manage the potential for abuse.

Thanks for posting these important questions, Guy. Opening up our data aligns with the town’s commitment to being open and accountable. Through the pilot project we will assess the potential value in open data, gauge interest in the community and better understand future needs. We look forward to getting the pilot underway, and to hearing more ideas from you and the community!

Sarah Stewart, Web Coordinator, Town of Oakville, and member of the town's Open Data Team